The following editorial represents the opinion of this newspaper's editorial staff.
Oklahoma stands at a crossroads. After years of dysfunction, division, and distrust between the state's executive branch and its people — including the hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans who are also members of the state's 38 tribal nations — voters in the June 16 Republican primary have a clear and compelling choice before them.
This newspaper endorses Gentner Drummond for Governor of the State of Oklahoma.
He said what he would do, and then he did it.
When Drummond was elected Attorney General in 2022, winning with nearly 74 percent of the vote over the Stitt-appointed incumbent, he promised to be independent, to cooperate with tribal governments, to crack down on crime, and to restore integrity to a state office that had been damaged by scandal. He delivered on all of it.
His office shut down approximately 1,000 illegal marijuana grow operations since 2023, dismantling criminal networks that had exploited Oklahoma's permissive medical marijuana licensing system to establish a sprawling, Chinesebacked illicit industry. He launched Oklahoma's Top 10 Most Wanted List. He took on human trafficking. He investigated corruption in the Tulsa Public School District and has put the matter before a multi-county grand jury. He prosecuted cases that previous administrations had left to fester.
These are not talking points. These are results.
Drummond is no stranger to pressureandhardchoices.Duringthe Gulf War, flying F-15C’s, Drummond received three direct orders — including one from a general — to shoot down an unidentified aircraft. He was certain it was a friendly plane and refused. He was arrested upon landing. He was right. The aircraft, a British Tornado fighter was piloted by a Saudi Arabian prince. Rather than discipline, Drummond received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He tells that story, he says, for one simple reason: 'I want you to know that I will always do the right thing, regardless of the cost.'
Oklahoma needs a governor who embodies exactly that principle.
No issue has done more damage to Oklahoma's reputation, economy, and civic fabric over the past seven years than the ongoing conflict between the state's current administration and the state's tribal nations. Governor Stitt picked fights over casino revenues, tobacco sales, motor vehicle tags, and criminal jurisdiction following the McGirt v. Oklahoma Supreme Court decision. The result has been costly litigation, fractured relationships, and an atmosphere of hostility between the state and the more than 400,000 Oklahomans who are tribal citizens.
Drummond has been blunt in his assessment. 'There's a lot of strength and power in our tribal partnerships,' he said. 'We have been fighting as the state of Oklahoma, fracturing the relationships for the last seven years. That is about the dumbest damn thing you can do as a state.'
As governor, Drummond has pledged to create a formal tribal council drawn from all 38 Oklahoma tribes to ensure meaningful engagement at the executive level. He has already demonstrated this commitment as AG, working daily with tribal governments to build the cooperative relationships that serve all Oklahomans. This isn't a campaign promise — it's a continuation of work already underway.
Smart, Serious Priorities Beyond tribal relations, Drummond has articulated a governing vision grounded in common sense and real-world experience: He will continue the aggressive approach to illegal drug operations, human trafficking, and organized crime that has characterized his tenure as AG. He supports President Trump's border security efforts and has pledged to keep Oklahoma aligned with federal law enforcement priorities.
Drummond recognizes that Oklahoma's future depends on an educated, skilled workforce. He has emphasized the trades in particular — the electricians, welders, and technicians that power the state's energy and agricultural economy — and has called for a governor who genuinely understands what schools need rather than one who uses them as a political battleground.
Drummond has identified healthcare access and mental health investment as core priorities, acknowledging these as areas where the current administration has fallen short. He recently called for an audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority over its handling of the SoonerCare managed care program — the kind of government watchdog accountability Oklahoma deserves.
With a background that includes banking, ranching, and entrepreneurship, Drummond has pledged to make Oklahoma the most business-friendly state in the nation. He intends to work with the legislature rather than around it.
In a notable act of principle, Drummond argued before the Oklahoma Supreme Court that approving a publicly funded Catholic charter school violated both state and federal constitutions. He did so knowing it would cost him politically. He was right on the law, and the action speaks to a candidate willing to defend the Constitution and do the right thing even when it's unpopular.
Drummondlaunchedhiscampaign with the unanimous endorsement of the Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police, announced at his very first campaign event. The FOP represents the men and women on the front lines of Oklahoma's public safety challenges, and their immediate, enthusiastic support for Drummond reflects confidence earned over years of genuine partnership.
Oklahoma is not broken, but it is starting to fracture. But Oklahoma is a state with extraordinary natural resources, a proud history, a resilient people, and an economy with tremendous potential. What it needs is a governor who will serve its people rather than political bosses or special interests — a governor who will build relationships rather than burn them, who will deliver results rather than headlines.
Gentner Drummond made a promise to his grandfather decades ago: serve in the military, then serve the public. He kept the first half of that promise with unquestionable distinction. We believe he will keep the second half just as faithfully.
Oklahoma voters should send Gentner Drummond to the Governor's Office on June 16.